David William Butler

David William Butler, 66, Mooresville, left this earthly life to be with his Savior Sept. 22, 2012 while surrounded by his family. He was born October 10, 1945 in Brownsville, TX to Robert and Marjorie Fippen Butler, who preceded him in death.

Mr. Butler was a 1963 graduate of Mooresville High School and attended Indiana State University. He proudly served with the United States Air Force for 8 years and was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving as the crew chief on a B-52 bomber. His passion was flying and he lived out that passion as a pilot for Northwest Airlink and Comair Airlines. During his time as the corporate pilot for Lomanco Corp in Little Rock, he flew Bill and Hillary Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, on many occasions. He also flew patients and their families to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and their lives touched his deeply. When impaired hearing no longer allowed him to fly, he became an instructor at Flight Safety, training pilots from around the world. Sometime early in his flying career he was given the nickname “Diamond Dave,” which is the way his former co-workers still refer to him.

When the airline industry changed dramatically following 9/11, he trained as a commercial driver, working for PAM and Bottom Line Trucking, where he worked until the time of his illness.

A gifted story teller and the recipient of a great sense of humor, Mr. Butler entertained those around him with true stories of his family and his own life experiences, giving even difficult events a humorous edge.

He was a voracious reader, enjoying biographies and historical novels. His favorite activity, aside from spending time with his grandson and visiting his daughters, was traveling the backroads of Indiana and finding any route to his destinations which didn’t involve interstate travel.

He is survived by his daughters, Christine Fletcher and her husband Dennis of Belton, TX, and Amanda Butler of Port Wentworth, GA; his grandson, Andrew Fletcher, in whom the sun rose and sat; sisters Alice (Fred) Cordes and Anne Reach, both of Mooresville. He is also survived by nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. His faithful companion throughout his battle with cancer was his loyal dog Legend, who spent countless hours at his side while he endured this journey with cancer.

A graveside service for the family will be held Monday afternoon at East Union Cemetery in Hamilton County, with a celebration of life ceremony to be held at a date to be announced. Memorial donations may be made in his name to Churches in Mission, 27 S. Indiana St, Mooresville IN 46158. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Carlisle - Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.